What are some things that can make the valve train abnormally loud?

 

That's a broad question, lots of things, low oil, no oil, bad lifters, floated valve, broken valve spring, worn rocker arms, incorrect push rod adjustment, bent push rod, push rod rubbing push rod tube, loose bolts, geared cams, worn cams, worn cam chain shoes, too low octane for the compression, incorrect timing, good ears etc.

John TN

 

Low oil pressure, clogged oil passages, incorrect adjustment on pushrods (adjustables), bent pushrods, worn rocker shafts, deffective lifters,low oil level, too low an oil viscosity, to name a few

 

John's more thorough than I am!

 

We have'nt heard from Skip yet! That rascal is a walking engine encyclopedia, I think I spelled that right. Now if he only knew more about the chroming process.

John TN

 

Dumb question here...

Hasn't many a "noisy valve train" been troubleshot down to a poorly adjust primary chain?

Mac

 

Mac, I hope that is true because my primary chain is noisy as well and I think it needs proper adjustment (haven't checked yet). If that was the case, then it would be a stone simple fix and no more problems.

 

I hope that's what it is for you...I just ordered the Hayden M6 Automatic Primary Chain Tensioner. I don't want to fool with worrying about it, and I'm at my 5K service now anyway. I'll change it and change the primary fluid at the same time.

I rented FLSTCI while on vacation last week, it had just over 1K miles on it...it was NOISY compared to my ride. I don't know why it was so loud, but it was. The only thing I could come up with was that it had stock mufflers and I could here the motor better than I can with my SEII slip ons...

Mac

 

Mac,

That's not a dumb question, it's possible, engine noise can sound like it's coming from one area and be from another. I like to use an engine stethoscope to locate them, it really helps me to find the exact area the noise is coming from. Learned that one when I worked offshore, a really good diesel mechanic showed me that trick and it does work.

John TN

 

Here's whats weird, John TN and TCSTD's very first replies to this thread were at the exact same time, down to the second according to their post date. Whats the odds of that? Now you have to ask how did the board choose who's on top. TCSTD, John is favored by the board, I would protest if I were you! Sue the bastards!